Wojcik, Spring City blank Phantoms

It marked the first victory for Spring City in three tries against Phoenixville this summer as the teams vie for four playoff spots. Phoenixville dropped to 12-5 but had a first-place showdown against host Upper Perkiomen July 8. Spring City fell to 10-7 (19-10 overall) and needed some help to earn a playoff position.

Wojcik pitched a six-hitter with three strikeouts and two walks on 94 pitches. The Red Sox supported him with two runs on three hits in the top of the second inning and made them stand up the rest of the way.

Chance DiFebbo also pitched a strong game for Phoenixville after the early going when he settled down. DiFebbo yielded eight hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts and six walks on 145 pitches. He beat Spring City earlier this season.

Spring City stranded 12 baserunners and Phoenixville left eight men on base. Each side turned a double play.

Third baseman Owen Gulati and second baseman Drew Skrocki each had two hits for the visitors. Skrocki had an RBI single, and first baseman Zach Wedemeyer picked up an RBI on a bases-loaded walk. Jeremiah Ndjali (double) and Alex Gouveia (walk) scored runs for the Red Sox.

Shortstop Jake Mullan (double) and third baseman Owen Goryl each had two hits for the Phantoms while second baseman A.J. Lotsis and catcher Shane Muntz also had hits.

“I was trying to throw strikes,” said Wojcik. “I started by making sure I was hydrated yesterday and let them hit the ball to keep my pitch count low. My defense helped me out a lot today. We made a real good double play in the first inning that helped out a lot.”

With one out in the bottom of the first, Lotsis, Goryl and Muntz delivered consecutive singles. Center fielder Jeff Conboy then bounced into the double play, which went shortstop to first baseman.

“We had Woj on the hill and he has pitched well for us all year,” said Spring City manager Mike Gancasz. “We are fighting to get in the playoffs so every game is important.

“Offensively, we had some great quality at-bats. We made him (DiFebbo) throw strikes and he was up there in the pitch count. We scratched out a couple hits and are thankful the two runs held up to get ourselves a win.”

Phoenixville manager Gene Bernat spoke about the missed scoring opportunities by his ballclub.

“You can’t have the bases loaded and not score,” said Bernat. “We had their pitcher on the ropes, but we left him get out of it. We hit too many pop flies and no line drives, DiFebbo, after the first inning, settled down and pitched a good game. When you hold a team to two runs scored, that should be enough. We made it easy on them. We have to battle for everything. Everybody is shooting for us because we are in first place.”